Historical information

Colourful souvenir mugs and cups were manufactured in Britain by Aynsley China and carefully transported to Australia for the opening of Parliament House in May 1927. Aynsley China was established in Staffordshire, England in 1775.

Parliament House in Canberra was officially opened on 9 May 1927 by the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth).

The opening of the Parliament House (now called Old Parliament House) marked the culmination of the Federation process, with the occupation of the new federal capital of the Commonwealth of Australia and the transfer of the federal legislature to Canberra after 27 years in Melbourne.
The rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne over which should be Australia's national capital led to the decision to establish a new capital city. Section 125 of the Australian Constitution stated the national capital must be located in New South Wales but not within 100 miles of Sydney. In the meantime, the Australian Parliament met in Melbourne at the Victorian Parliament House.
The event was marked by extensive celebrations, and thousands of people gathered to see the Duke of York open the main door with a golden key handed to him by Prime Minister Stanley Melbourne Bruce.

Significance

This item is significant as a souvenir of an important event in the development of Australian government.

Physical description

An Aynsley porcelain cup manufactured in England around 1927 to commemorate the opening of the Federal Parliament House in Canberra.
It features a kangaroo in a cartouche formed of laurel leaves with a blue bow connecting each arm of the cartouche. The cartouche and the kangaroo are flanked by the Australian ensign on the right, and the Union Jack on the left.

The reverse design features an image of Parliament House in Canberra with gold text below.

Inscriptions & markings

Above the kangaroo 'AUSTRALIA A NATION'
Beside the ribbon MAY 1927
Beneath the kangaroo - 'TO COMMEMORATE THE OPENING OF THE FEDERAL PARLIAMENT HOUSE CANBERRA'

Reverse side below the image
"THE CAPITOL" CANBERRA
OPENED BY
T.R.H. THE DUKE & DUCHESS OF YORK
MAY